http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/mobile/rim-adds-free-call-feature-to-bbm/article5274314/

The smartphone industry has grown exponentially in the past half-decade and companies lacking innovation and strong research and development are being left in the dust.

Ironically, Research in Motion (RIM) has seen decreased profits and is facing massive competitors such as Apple and Samsung, which it is unable to rival due to its lack of innovation. It would seem that RIM has only a matter of time before it is consumed by its competitors.

One popular feature that keeps Blackberry users loyal is the coveted BBM application that users (for some reason) love. Blackberry has just announced that it will be adding “BBM Voice” to this enhanced chat messenger, allowing users to talk over wifi. The wifi only limitation was created so as not to “alienate wireless carrier partners anxious about losing voice revenue”, but it may alienate RIM, as many of its rivals offer similar services over a cellular data network.

This addition to the successful BBM application will likely change little to the motivations of potential Blackberry customers. With the ongoing, more significant innovations in companies like Samsung and Apple within a similar price range, what is encouraging them to buy a blackberry?

Research in Motions’s lack of research in motion with regards to the current markets have led to this eventual decline, and future inevitable peril.